College of Engineering Exhibits at UI Energy Expo

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Note: The College of Engineering will be involved in two exhibits at the September 5 UI Energy Expo on the first floor of the University Capitol Center. Al Ratner, assistant professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, will demonstrate processes used in the University's breakthrough oat hull burning project. Another exhibit will illustrate the partnership of the oat hull burning project among Quaker Oats of Cedar Rapids University Facilities Group, and the College of Engineering.

UI Energy Expo to focus on reducing carbon footprint

The University of Iowa Pentacrest will be the site of a major exposition of renewable energy technologies, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5. The 2007 UI Energy Expo will bring together academics, students, government, and industry to focus on energy conservation, technological solutions, and sustainability. The event is free and open to the public.

The exposition will include dozens of exhibits pertaining to the theme, including wind, solar, and renewable fuel designs and devices. Several speakers will address audiences during the day, including Hunter Lovins, one of the top energy conservation speakers in the country. Lovins is president and founder of Natural Capitalism Inc. and co-creator of the Natural Capitalism concept. She will speak at 5 p.m. in Macbride Auditorium.

Also speaking is Billy Parish, founder of the Climate Campaign and recent recipient of the Brower Youth Award from the Earth Island Institute. Parish speaks at 12:30 p.m. in the Old Capitol Museum. The reggae band Public Property will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. on the Pentacrest.

The Energy Expo will host a number of workshops and presentations throughout the day. The expo is made possible by the support of UI business partners, the UI Energy Conservation Advisory Council, UI Student Government, and UI Facilities Management.